Following a string of unofficial confirmations (meaning everyone but Apple confirmed the news), it's now known for certain that Apple is planning to extend its R&D efforts to China later this year.

Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce says Apple will open its R&D center this summer.

Apple has registered three firms in three buildings in Pudong, Shanghai, and one of them will be dedicated to procurement management and R&D, according to documents on the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce's website.

Apple hasn't issued a formal comment on plans for R&D in China, but the company's move to secure Chinese facilities for procurement management and R&D confirms all we need to know.

As MMi previously reported, Apple has allegedly been wanting to set up an R&D facility in China for close to seven years.